fact they're in almost exclusively areas or around areas that are predominantly african-american or latino. it sends a message that there is a problem with the voting. >> reporter: the billboards are popping up in cities in ohio and wisconsin. 85 in milwaukee, 30 in columbus, another 30 in cleveland and 31 in cincinnati. >> take it down! >> reporter: protests started almost as soon as they went up, dending the signs come down. >> this billboard is nothing but a simple of pure unadulterated voter suppression to target an african-american community. >> reporter: the two advertising companies that sold the space, clear channel and norton outdoors, say the buyer was not out to target minorities. >> there was no request for any specific demographic target at all. they wanted the best locations they could get for the four weeks leading up to the election. >> reporter: the bigamistry is who's behind them? the big board itself does not tell. it reads paid for by a private family foundation and neither company will say who that is. after declining an on camera interview, here's what clear channel w